Board Developed Course - 1 Unit of study for each of Preliminary and HSC

Prerequisites: HSC English Advanced Course

Exclusions: English EAL/D, English Standard, English Studies, English Life Skills

Course description

The English Extension course provides students who undertake Advanced English and are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to extend their use of language and self-expression in creative and critical ways. The course is designed for students with an interest in literature and a desire to pursue specialised study of English.

Through engaging with increasingly complex concepts through a broad range of literature, from a range of contexts, students refine their understanding and appreciation of the cultural roles and the significance of texts and about the way that literature shapes and reflects the global world.

The English Extension 2 course enables students who are accomplished in their use of English with the opportunity to craft language and refine their personal voice in critical and creative ways. They can master skills in the composition process to create a substantial and original Major Work that extends the knowledge, understanding and skills developed throughout Stage 6 English courses. Through the creative process they pursue areas of interest independently, develop deep knowledge and manipulate language in their own extended compositions. The course develops independent and collaborative learning skills and higher-order critical thinking that are essential at tertiary levels of study and in the workplace.

What students learn

Year 11 course

In the English Extension Year 11 course, students explore the ways in which aspects and concerns of texts from the past have been carried forward, borrowed from and/or appropriated into more recent culture. They consider how and why cultural values are maintained and changed.

The course has one mandatory module: Texts, Culture and Value as well as a related research project.

Year 12 course

English Extension 1

In the English Extension 1 Year 12 course, students explore, investigate, experiment with and evaluate the ways texts represent and illuminate the complexity of individual and collective lives in literary worlds.

The course has one common module, Literary Worlds, with five associated electives. Students must complete one elective chosen from one of the five electives offered for study.

The electives are

• • Literary Homelands

  • Worlds of Upheaval

  • Reimagined Worlds

  • Literary Mindscapes

  • Intersecting Worlds

English Extension 2

In the English Extension 2 Year 12 course, students develop a sustained composition, and document their reflection on this process.

The course requires students to undertake a composition process in order to complete a Major Work and Reflection Statement.

Course requirements

Year 11 course

Students are required to:

• examine a key text from the past and its manifestations in one or more recent cultures

• explore, analyse and critically evaluate different examples of such texts in a range of contexts and media

• undertake a related research project.

Year 12 course

English Extension 1

Students are required to study:

• at least THREE prescribed texts for the elective study which must include two print texts (as outlined in the English Stage 6 Prescriptions: Modules, Electives and Texts Higher School Certificate 2019–2023 document)

• at least TWO related texts.

English Extension 2

Students are required to:

• complete a Major Work which involves students undertaking extensive independent investigation involving a range of complex texts during the composition process and document this in their Major Work Journal and Reflection Statement.

Students can choose to compose in ONE of the following forms:

• short fiction

• creative nonfiction

• poetry

• critical response

• script (short film, television, drama)

• podcasts (drama, storytelling, speeches, performance poetry)